New National Infrastructure Delivery Plan launched

A new National Infrastructure Delivery Plan that brings together all of the government’s infrastructure priorities over the next five years has been published.

The plan brings together the government’s plans for this Parliament to support large-scale housing and regeneration, as well as investment in new local schools, roads, hospitals and prisons.

These plans are underpinned by the government’s commitment to invest over £100 billion in infrastructure by 2020-21, together with significant investment by the private sector, to deliver important projects that are vital to grow the economy and improve people’s lives.

More of this investment is now being targeted to bring benefits to the local economy and community. The plan also highlights the government’s commitment to build a Northern Powerhouse, by connecting up the towns and cities of the North.

The plan incorporates the latest version of the National infrastructure Pipeline which highlights over £425bn worth of planned investment in over 600 major projects and programmes across the UK to 2020-21 and beyond. In addition the plan sets out £58bn of public investment for housing and regeneration, education, health and justice.

Since 2010 around 3,000 individual infrastructure projects have been completed across the UK including major new road improvements and local transport schemes, improvements to hundreds of rail stations and more than 20GW of new electricity generating capacity. This is in addition to transformational projects such as Crossrail and the Mersey Gateway Bridge that are now well underway.

Speaking at the Institution of Civil Engineers, Commercial Secretary to the Treasury Lord O’Neill said: “From more modern transport links, to faster broadband, better infrastructure is at the heart of our plans to build a more productive economy and improve people’s everyday lives.

“That is why we are stepping up with the private sector to invest in some of this country’s most ambitious projects to create a more secure future for the next generation.

“This government is determined, even at a time of global uncertainty, to invest in the long-term projects that will make our economy and our country fit for the future.”

Chief executive of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority, Tony Meggs said: “This plan sets out details of infrastructure investment by government and the private sector across all sectors and regions. It describes not only what we are going to build, but also how we will prioritise investment and work with industry to improve delivery. Through the new IPA we will continue to support delivery of the government’s priority projects and ensure we remain on track to deliver.”

Nick Baveystock, Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) director general, said: “The National Infrastructure Plan has evolved steadily since 2010, and this new iteration of the plan and pipeline builds on the progress made, improving visibility for the supply chain and investor community.

“The shift in focus to delivery over five years sets a fresh tone – one of ‘spades in the ground’ – and we welcome the recognition that this must be complemented by a vision for the longer-term.

“This brings to the fore the role of the National Infrastructure Commission in setting out the UK’s priorities up to 2050, and the importance of a robust needs assessment to underpin the vision.”

The plan sets out a major roads and rail investment package including £15 billion to support Highways England in transforming the strategic road network with over 100 major schemes completed or in construction by the end of 2020-21